Quick release hinged vehicle window

ABSTRACT

A vehicle window fabricated from extruded members in which an inner glass supporting frame structure is hingedly mounted in an outer frame structure for swinging movement, the outer frame structure having cooperative inner and outer sections secured together by concealed means in clamping engagement with the inner and outer wall surfaces surrounding a wall opening. A unique manually operable latching mechanism is provided for normally latching the inner frame structure in a closed position substantially coplanar with the outer frame structure, but which in case of an emergency may be readily manually actuated by the application of a relatively small force into a released or nonlatching position which will permit outward swinging movement of the inner frame structure into an open position so as to provide an emergency escape exit. The window and latching mechanism are further designed to withstand a relatively high impact opening force.

United States Patent 11 1 Carson t 2 '7 Dec. 23, 1975 QUICK RELEASE HINGED VEHICLE l,l66,0l5 /1969 United Kingdom 49/394 WINDOW [75] Inventor: Lawrence E. Carson, West Covina, Examuier'paul Glnlam Calif. Assistant Exammer-K. Downey Attorney, Agent, or Flrm-Robert M. McMamgal [71i] Assignee: Le Van Specialty Company, Inc.,

Cityeof Industry, Calif. 57 AB [22] Filed: Sept. 16, 1974 A vehicle window fabricated from extruded members in which an inner glass supporting frame structure is [21] Appl' 506235 hingedly mounted in an outer frame structure for swinging movement, the outer frame structure having [52] US. Cl. 49/141; 41/394; 4l/DlG. 49; cooperative inner and outer sections secured together 52/212 by concealed means in clamping engagement with the [51] Int. CLEOSC /02; EOSC 1 1/00; FOSB 65/10 inner and outer wall surfaces surrounding a wall open- [58] Field of Search 49/141, 275, 276, 278, ing. A unique manually operable latching mechanism 49/397, 394, 505; 292/DlG. 49, I96, DIG. is provided for normally latching the inner frame 33; 52/212, 213, 217 structure in a closed position substantially coplanar with the outer frame structure, but which in case of an [56] References Cited emergency may be readily manually actuated by the U n' STATES PATENTS application of a relatively small force into a released I855 470 M932 Bmon 52,212 or non-latching position which will permit outward 2:830:843 4/1958 Seaburg etal::2: Th/141 x swinging the inner frame structure 2,845,665 8/1958 Place 49/397 open P as Pf an emergency 3,431,677 3/1969 Ehreletal... 49/141 p exit The Window and latching mechanism are 3,469,347 9/1969 49/394 further designed to withstand a relatively high impact FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Pemng 6,867 3/1912 United Kingdom 292/010. 49 15 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,927,492

" m Ir QUICK RELEASE HINGED VEHICLE WINDOW BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of window closures.

Heretofore, passenger carrying vehicles, such as buses, have been equipped generally with either fixed glass windows or sliding glass windows which could be opened a limited amount for ventilation, but not sufficiently to permit use of the open window as an exit in case of emergency.

More recently, State and Federal Laws require that the windows of public passenger buses be equipped with hinged window structures that can be latched by a suitable latching mechanism and manually released, when necessary, to permit the window being bodily swung outwardly to an open position sufficiently to provide an emergency exit. This type of window operation is independent of the normal window function, and regardless of whether the window is closed at all times or may be slidably opened.

Operating requirements for the latching mechanism provide that the latching mechanism should be operable to a released unlatched position by a passenger applied force of twenty-five pounds, and when in a latched position, the window assembly and latching mechanism should be able to withstand a total impact opening force of 1200 pounds moving at the rate of 2 inches per minute without opening.

Some window manufacturers have endeavored to meet these requirements by utilizing a window frame hingedly supported on a piano-type hinge, and by providing a conventional pivoted hook-type latching member which is spring-loaded toward a latching position of engagement with an associated portion of the hinged window frame or a part carried by the window frame. This approach presented many problems and was not entirely successful.

The present invention embodies a unique arrangement, which overcomes many of the problems inherent in the heretofore known approaches, and provides a number of salient features including the following:

I. A two-piece outer window frame for a wall opening, which is clamped in place by screws that are concealed from view, when the window assembly is completed.

2. An inner window frame having a hinge support on the outer window frame that incorporates a flange contoured to form a hinge which will permit the window frame to swing, and yet permit easy removal upon being swung to a certain angular position, without the necessity of having to use tools or other mechanical means.

3. A latching mechanism which includes an articulated linkage adapted to be folded into a contoured channel of the inner window frame in such a manner that the weight of the window frame and impact pressures applied against the window from the inside of the bus, operate to augment the holding ability of the latch.

4. A latching mechanism having an actuating lever which comprises a facing or trim moulding extending in a continuous line along the length of the vehicle at the bottom of the windows, and which may be cut or segmented into window length pieces so that a passenger in an adjacent seat to the window may actuate the latch means to a release position by pulling downward on the upper edge of this moulding, whereupon the window frame will be released and can be pushed outwardly to an emergency exit open position.

5. The outer window frame, inner window frame, latching linkage of the latch mechanism and the actuating lever thereof are all fabricated from continuous lengths of aluminum extrusions, thus permitting the latch parts to be of any length required to obtain the necessary strength for windows that may vary greatly in length, height and weight.

6. The components of the latching mechanism are arranged to be slidably coupled and uncoupled in a manner which permits quick assembly and disassembly without the use of tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION an inner section are secured together and clamped into engagement with the opposite walls of a window opening by means of normally concealed securing means.

A further object is to provide in such a vehicle window, a quick release articulated latching mechanism for the hinged inner window structure, in which the components of the latching mechanism are hingedly interconnected in a manner permitting assembly and disassembly without the use of tools.

A further object is to provide a quick release articulated latching mechanism for a vehicle window, wherein the latching components are fabricated from extruded members which permit length variations to meet different force resisting requirements.

Another object is to provide a quick release vehicle window structure, in which a manually operable articulated latching mechanism is mounted on a bottom portion of an outer frame structure, the latching mechanism including a swingable latch bar having an outermost end manually moveable into latching and nonlatching positions with respect to an inner frame structure, when the inner frame structure is in a closed position substantially coplanar with the outer frame structure.

Still another object is to provide a quick release mechanism for a hinged vehicle window, in which a manually operable latching mechanism includes a swingable latching bar and a swingable actuating lever interconnected by a pair of articulated link members which are moveable through a dead-center position into an off-center latching position for opposing extremely high forces applied in a window opening direction, yet which are operable in non-latching position by a relatively small force applied to the actuating lever.

Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

FIG. I is a fragmentary elevational view of a quick release hinged vehicle window embodying the features of the herein disclosed invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially online 2-2 of FIG. 1, and showing the latching mechanism in its latching position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the lower part of the structure shown in FIG. 2, and illustrating the relative positions of the components of the latching mechanism in its unlatched position; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of one of the latching mechanisms as seen along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now specifically to the drawings, for illustrative purposes, a quick release hinged vehicle window embodying the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 1 as comprising in general a window structure which is mounted in a wall opening 11 of a vehicle side wall 12. The window may vary as to configuration but will ordinarily be of rectangular form and will include a fixed outer frame structure 13 and a hingedly supported inner frame structure 14 which carries one or more window sashes. These sashes may be of the fixed or sliding type, depending upon the installation. As illustrated, the inner frame structure is provided with a pair of window sashes 15a and 15b which are of the sliding type.

It is an important feature of the present invention that the components of the window structure are fabricated from continuous extrusions, thus permitting a manufacturer to meet different installation requirements as to strength and size. The outer frame structure is unique in that it is formed by a pair of sections consisting of an outer section 13a and an inner section 13b which are secured together with outer peripheral flanges 16a and 16b respectively in clamped engagement with the marginal outer wall surface and inner wall surface surrounding the wall openingJl.

The frame sections 13a and [3b are clampingly secured together at inwardly positioned longitudinally extending mating flanges 17a and 17b by means of a plurality of securing screws 18 which extend through the flange 17b and threadedly engage the flange 17a. The flanges 17a and 17b have a tongue and groove interlock, as generally indicated at 19. The flanges also have angularly disposed surfaces 20 and 21 which provide a camming action so that when the screws 18 are tightened, the flanges 16a and 16b will be swingably moved into clamping engagement with the associated wall surfaces. The screws 18 are concealed on the inside of the frame structure by means of an inwardly extending flange 22.

The inner frame structure 14 is formed from an extrusion of substantially I-section in which a connecting web 23 extends between an outer edge flange 24 and an inner edge flange 25. The top and bottom portions of the inner frame structure are maintained in fixed spaced relation by means of a spreader bar 26 which extends between the upper and lower flanges 2S and may be secured thereto as by suitable screws 27.

The upper and lower portions of the inner frame structure 14 are provided with longitudinally extending spaced apart projecting flanges 28 and 29 which are integrally formed with the web 23 and provide guiding tracks for the upper and lower sash rails 30 and 31 of each window sash. As shown, each sash rail is constructed with a longitudinally extending outwardly opening groove 32 for receiving the associated track, provision being made for the mounting of suitable glide felts 33 in accordance with conventional practice in the industry.

The inner frame structure 14 is swingably suspended from the outer frame structure 13 for movement from a closed coplanar position with respect to the outer frame structure 13, as illustrated in FIG. 2, into an open angular position in which the lower portion of the inner frame structure 14 will be outwardly positioned of the lower portion of the outer frame structure 13.

A unique hinge mounting is provided for the inner frame structure 14. For this purpose, the flange 24 of the'extrusion forming the inner frame structure is initially provided with a deformed marginal edge 34 of T-cross-section. This marginal edge is removed from the sides and bottom portions of the inner frame structure 14, but is left intact at the upper portion of the frame structure to provide a hinge member adapted to be hingedly associated with a longitudinally extending extruded channel 35 formed in an outer side of the top portion of the outer frame structure section 13a, this channel having a side opening 36 for the reception and disengagement of the marginal edge 34 for mounting and disassembly of the inner frame structure with respect to the outer frame structure. Normally, the hinge structure just described supports the inner frame structure for limited swinging movement, but at a predetermined angular position permits the disassembly or disconnection of the hinge connection, when desired. At one side of the channel opening 36, an integrally formed longitudinally extending edge 37 is formed to provide a limiting stop for the hinged movement of the inner frame structure.

The periphery of the inner frame structure is sealed relative to the surrounding outer frame structure by means of an extruded combination gasket as generally indicated by the numeral 38, this gasket being formed from a vinyl plastic or other suitable material. As shown in FIG. 2, the gasket is formed along one edge to provide a longitudinally extending hollow portion 39 of generally transverse triangular configuration which may be inserted through the opening 36 into the channel 35 so as to anchor this edge of the gasket. Intermediate the side edges of the gasket, the gasket is formed with a longitudinally extending hollow flange projection 40 which is adapted to be inserted through a side opening 41 of a longitudinally extending cavity 42 of the outer frame structure 13. At the inner edge margin of the gasket 38, there is formed a longitudinally extending hollow portion 43 to form a seal between the adjacent facing edges of the flange 22 and flange 25, when the inner frame structure is in closed position. The gasket as just described extends along the top and sides of the outer frame structure 13, but at the bottom of the inner frame structure has the portion thereof removed which contains the hollow projecting flange 40 and the hollow portion 43.

The bottom portion of the inner frame structure is fitted with a wear plate 44 which is extruded or otherwise formed from a tough plastic or other suitable material. One or more of these wear plates may be adhesively attached to the under side of the lower portion of the inner frame structure so as to extend underneath the adjacent web 23. The wear plate serves to not only support the weight of the inner frame structure in its closed position, but also serves in this position to maintain the inner frame structure and outer frame structure in proper spacing. As shown in FIG. 2, the wear plate 44 is provided with a longitudinally extending surface bulge 45 which is adapted to press the adjacent layer of the gasket 38 into a longitudinally extending depression 46 to provide a detent for releasably retaining the inner frame structure in its closed position.

The unique latching mechanism, as generally indicated by the numeral 47, is provided on the lower portion of the outer frame structure 13 for releasably latching the inner frame structure in closed position, but enabling manual ac tuation to an un-latched position to permit hinged outward swinging movement of the inner frame structure to provide an emergency exit passage, when necessary. This latching mechanism is constructed as an articulated linkage in which the components are formed from extrusions which may be cut to different lengths to meet varying installation requirements. The latching mechanism includes an elongate latch bar 48 which is provided along one edge with an offset edge margin in the form of a hook-like edge 49. By inserting the hook-like edge 49 through the adjacent side opening 41 of the cavity 42, the latch bar will be supported for swinging movement between latching and non-latching positions, yet when the inner frame structure is swung to an open position, the latch bar may be swung to an angular position which will enable its detachment without the necessity of utilizing any tools. The position of the latch bar is controlled by a manually operable actuating lever 50 formed from an elongate moulding extrusion which is normally aligned with and forms a part of the moulding extending along the sideiof the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower marginal edge of the actuating lever is formed with a reverse bend to provide a hook 51 which normally swingably embraces an edge 52 of a hinge plate 53 which is fixedly secured to the adjacent flange 16b by means of rivets 54. The actuating lever 50 is coupled with the latch bar 48 through a pair oflink members 55 and 56 having their adjacent inner ends hingedly connected by a hinge pivot pin 57. The outermost end of the link member 55 is hingedly connected to the outermost edge of the latch bar 48 by means of a hinge pivot pin 58. The outermost end of the link member 56 is provided on one side with a transversely extending groove 59 to permit this end of the link to be inserted through a side opening 60 of a longitudinally extending channel 61 formed intermediate this edges of the actuating lever moulding. In this manner, the swingably connected outer end of the link 56 may be slidably removed in an endwise direction from its connection with the actuating lever.

The linkage of the latching mechanism is retained against shifting movement along the associated outer frame structure by reason of its being positioned so as to extend through a cut out portion 62 of the adjacent flange 22 of the outer frame structure. In the latched position, the link 56 is positioned in the cut out 62 as shown in FIG. 2, while in the un-latched position the latch bar 48 is positioned in the cut out as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring further to FIG. 2, it will be observed that in the latched position of the latch bar 48, the hinged connection at its outer edge will be disposed in a longitudinally extending latching channel 63 formed in the extrusion of the adjacent portion of the inner frame structure. As thus positioned, the connected link members SS and 56 will occupy an off-center position and the hinge connection between the links 55 and 56 will be positioned in engagement with an abutment surface ,64 on the adjacent mating flange 17b. This provides a very strong latching structure since in the latching position as just described, the lock bar 48 and link member 55 will be put into compression by forces tending to swing the inner frame structure from a close to open position. On the other hand, the latching mechanism may be manually operated by a relatively small force into non-latching position..

An important advantage of the latching mechanism structure as described above resides in the fact that it may be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools. To disassemble the linkage, it is only necessary to slidably remove in an endwise direction either of the pivot pins 57 and 58, whereupon the locking bar 48 may be tilted to a disengaging position and the actuatinglever may be disassembled with respect to the link member 56 by relative sliding movement.

A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that one or more articulated latching mechanisms may be connected with a single actuating lever.

From the foregoing description and drawings, it will be clearly evident that the delineated objects and features of the invention will be accomplished.

Various modifications may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention, and, hence, I do not wish to be restricted to the specific forms shown or uses mentioned, except to the extent indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

I. The combination in a quick release hinged vehicle window, comprising:

a. a fixed outer frame structure adapted to be mounted in a wall window opening;

b. an inner window supporting frame structure having a top hinged connection with a top portion of said fixed outer frame for permitting swinging movement of the inner frame structure between a position substantially coplanar with said outer frame structure and an angular position with its bottom outwardly spaced from the bottom of said outer frame structure; a manually operable articulated latching mechanism mounted on a bottom portion of said outer frame structure including a swingable latch bar having an outermost end movable into latching and non-latching positions with respect to a bottom portion of said inner frame structure in said copla nar position thereof; and

d. a separate swingable mounted actuating lever having an operative connection with said outermost end of said latch bar.

2. The combination as set forth in claim I, wherein said hinged connection comprises an elongated extruded projecting flange of T-shaped transverse configuration extending along an outer side of the top portion of said inner frame structure and being deflected transversely towards the inner side of said inner frame structure in a manner such that one side of the T-shaped flange forms an elongate hook; and a longitudinally extending extruded channel formed inan outer side of the top portion of said fixed outer frame, said channel having a side opening for receiving the T-shaped flange into said channel, when the inner frame is disposed in said angular position with its bottom outwardly spaced from the bottom of said outer frame structure, said channel having an edge at the hottom of said opening 57 adapted to engage said hook and coacttherewith to provide said hinged connection; l 3. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein a plurality of said latching mechanisms are mounted in Spaced relation on'a bottom portion of said outer frame structure; and including an elongate extruded moulding member extending along an inner side of the bottom poi'tion of said outer frame structure, said moulding member-having a lower edge hingedly connected to said outer frame structure to provide a swingable latch actuating-lever; and articulate means operatively conucctiag-said'actuating lever with said outermost end of the swingable latch bar of each of said latching mechauismsfor-simultaneous actuation thereof. .The combination "according to claim I, wherein in said. coplanar position the latch bar underlies the bottom-i portion of the inner frame structure, said inner ft ame structure being formed with a latching channel for receiving the outermost end of the latch'bar, when itjs' moved into latching position, and in which position the.latch bar opposes outward swinging hinged movement of said inner frame structure from its coplanar position;

5. The combination according toclaim 4, wherein the actuating lever is on the inner side of the bottom pdrtion of said outer frame structure; and including an articulated Ihinge linkage interconnecting said actuation lever and said swingable latch bar, said latch bar in its latching position being such that opening forces applied to the inner frame structure 'act to place th latch bar, under compression.

6. The combination according to claim 5, wherein said articulated. linkage comprises a pair of link members having hingedly connected adjacent inner ends, and with their outer ends being respectively swingably connected with said latch bar and said actuating lever.

7. The combination according to claim 6, wherein during movement of said latch bar into said latching position by means of. said actuating lever,- said link members pass through a dead center positioninto an offcenter position in which gthe'latch bar is positively retained against movement to its non-latching position upon the application of. forces against the inner frame structure in a directiontending to hingedly swing it outwardly away from its coplanar position.

8. Thecombination according to clai 3 7, including an abutment on an adjacent portion of said outer frame structure for limiting movement of said link members at said off-center position.

9. The combination according to claim 6, wherein the hinged connection of the inner ends of the link members includes an endwise removable hinge pivot pin; the swingable connection of the outer end of the link, which is connected with said latch bar, includes an endwise removable hinge pivot pin; said pivot pins upon removable enabling disassembly of the latching mechanism without the use of tools.

10. The combination according to claim 9, wherein the swingable latch bar at its innermost end has a deformed inner end margin normally retained in an elongate open-sided channel formed in an adjacent portion of the outer frame structure; said latching bar, upon removal of one of said pivot pins, being swingable to an angular hinged position in which said inner edge margin may be laterally withdrawn from said open sided channel.

11. The combination according to claim 9, wherein in the hinged mounting of the actuating lever comprises a hooked marginal edge portion normally swingably embracing an edge margin of a hinge plate carried by an adjacent portion of said outer frame structure; said actuating lever, upon removal of one of said pivot pins being positionable so as to disengage its hooked marginal edge portion from the edge margin of said hinge plate.

12. The combination according to claim 5, wherein the swingable connection of the link member with the actuating lever comprises a hooked marginal end portion of the link member normally swingably retained within an open-sided groove formed on said actuating lever.

13. The combination according to claim 12, wherein the link member and connected actuating lever are disconnectable by relative endwise movement of the hooked marginal end portion and said groove.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 1, including a wear plate carried by the lower portion of the inner frame structure, said wear plate in the coplanar position of said window frame structure providing a support for taking the weight of the inner frame structure, and said wear plate having a bulged surface adapted in said coplanar position to releasably seat in a recessed surface of an adjacent portion of said outer frame structure.

15. The combination as set forth in claim 1, in which said outer frame structure comprises:

inner and outer extruded cooperable frame members adapted to respectively engage the inner and outer wall margins around said window opening;

7 said frame members having confronting angularly projecting mating flanges extending into the window opening;

a tongue and groove interlocking connection extending between portions of said flanges;

.' angularly extending engageable abutting camming surfaces positioned adjacently along said tongue and groove interlock connection;

and a plurality of screw members, normally con- V cealed and inaccessible in the closed position of the inner window supporting frame structure, for securing said flanges together, and upon being tightened coacting with said camming surfaces to relatively tilt the frame members towards each other into clamped engagement with the wall margins,

and to move the tongue further into the groove.

i i I t 

1. The combination in a quick release hinged vehicle window, comprising: a. a fixed outer frame structure adapted to be mounted in a wall window opening; b. an inner window supporting frame structure having a top hinged connection with a top portion of said fixed outer frame for permitting swinging movement of the inner frame structure between a position substantially coplanar with said outer frame structure and an angular position with its bottom outwardly spaced from the bottom of said outer frame structure; c. a manually operable articulated latching mechanism mounted on a bottom portion of said outer frame structure including a swingable latch bar having an outermost end movable into latching and non-latching positions with respect to a bottom portion of said inner frame structure in said coplanar position thereof; and d. a separate swingable mounted actuating lever having an operative connection with said outermost end of said latch bar.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said hinged connection comprises an elongated extruded projecting flange of T-shaped transverse configuration extending along an outer side of the top portion of said inner frame structure and being deflected transversely towards the inner side of said inner frame structure in a manner such that one side of the T-shaped flange forms an elongate hook; and a longitudinally extending extruded channel formed in an outer side of the top portion of said fixed outer frame, said channel having a side opening for receiving the T-shaped flange into said channel, when the inner frame is disposed in said angular position with its bottom outwardly spaced from the bottom of said outer frame structure, said channel having an edge at the hottom of said opening adapted to engage said hook and coact therewith to provide said hinged connection.
 3. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein a plurality of said latching mechanisms are mounted in spaced relation on a bottom portion of said outer frame structure; and including an elongate extruded moulding member extending along an inner side of the bottom portion of said outer frame structure, said moulding member having a lower edge hingedly connected to said outer frame structure to provide a swingable latch actuating lever; and articulate means operatively connecting said actuating lever with said outermost end of the swingable latch bar of each of said latching mechanisms for simultaneous actuation thereof.
 4. The combination according to claim 1, wherein in said coplanar position the latch bar underlies the bottom portion of the inner frame structure, said inner frame structure being formed with a latching channel for receiving the outermost end of the latch bar, when it is moved into latching position, and in which position the latch bar opposes outward swinging hinged movement of said inner frame structure from its coplanar position.
 5. The combination according to claim 4, wherein the actuating lever is on the inner side of the bottom portion of said outer frame structure; and including an articulated hinge linkage interconnecting said actuation lever and said swingable latch bar, said latch bar in its latching position being such that opening forces applied to the inner frame structure act to place the latch bar under compression.
 6. The combination according to claim 5, wherein said articulated linkage comprises a pair of link members having hingedly connected adjacent inner ends, and with their outer ends being respectively swingably connected with said latch bar and said actuating lever.
 7. The combination according to claim 6, wherein during movement of said Latch bar into said latching position by means of said actuating lever, said link members pass through a dead center position into an offcenter position in which the latch bar is positively retained against movement to its non-latching position upon the application of forces against the inner frame structure in a direction tending to hingedly swing it outwardly away from its coplanar position.
 8. The combination according to claim 7, including an abutment on an adjacent portion of said outer frame structure for limiting movement of said link members at said off-center position.
 9. The combination according to claim 6, wherein the hinged connection of the inner ends of the link members includes an endwise removable hinge pivot pin; the swingable connection of the outer end of the link, which is connected with said latch bar, includes an endwise removable hinge pivot pin; said pivot pins upon removable enabling disassembly of the latching mechanism without the use of tools.
 10. The combination according to claim 9, wherein the swingable latch bar at its innermost end has a deformed inner end margin normally retained in an elongate open-sided channel formed in an adjacent portion of the outer frame structure; said latching bar, upon removal of one of said pivot pins, being swingable to an angular hinged position in which said inner edge margin may be laterally withdrawn from said open sided channel.
 11. The combination according to claim 9, wherein in the hinged mounting of the actuating lever comprises a hooked marginal edge portion normally swingably embracing an edge margin of a hinge plate carried by an adjacent portion of said outer frame structure; said actuating lever, upon removal of one of said pivot pins being positionable so as to disengage its hooked marginal edge portion from the edge margin of said hinge plate.
 12. The combination according to claim 5, wherein the swingable connection of the link member with the actuating lever comprises a hooked marginal end portion of the link member normally swingably retained within an open-sided groove formed on said actuating lever.
 13. The combination according to claim 12, wherein the link member and connected actuating lever are disconnectable by relative endwise movement of the hooked marginal end portion and said groove.
 14. The combination as set forth in claim 1, including a wear plate carried by the lower portion of the inner frame structure, said wear plate in the coplanar position of said window frame structure providing a support for taking the weight of the inner frame structure, and said wear plate having a bulged surface adapted in said coplanar position to releasably seat in a recessed surface of an adjacent portion of said outer frame structure.
 15. The combination as set forth in claim 1, in which said outer frame structure comprises: inner and outer extruded cooperable frame members adapted to respectively engage the inner and outer wall margins around said window opening; said frame members having confronting angularly projecting mating flanges extending into the window opening; a tongue and groove interlocking connection extending between portions of said flanges; angularly extending engageable abutting camming surfaces positioned adjacently along said tongue and groove interlock connection; and a plurality of screw members, normally concealed and inaccessible in the closed position of the inner window supporting frame structure, for securing said flanges together, and upon being tightened coacting with said camming surfaces to relatively tilt the frame members towards each other into clamped engagement with the wall margins, and to move the tongue further into the groove. 